Apparatus for and method of handling photographic prints or negatives



June 14, 1932.

W. J. WILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF-HANDLING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS OR NEGATIVES Filed oct. 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .lime 14, 1332.

W. J. WILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR AND METHGD 0F HANDLING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS OR NEGTIVES Filed Oct. 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Shree*l 2 June 14, 1932. A

l w, .J. WILLIAMS 1,863,132 APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD-OF HANDLING PHCTOGRAPHIC PRINTS -OR NEGATIVES Filed Oct, 22, 1928 @Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 14, i932 f UNITED STATES MTENT- .OFFICE WALTER J. WILLIAMS, or wooDHAvEN, NEW vom;

APPARATUS ron AND METHOD' or HANDLINGPHoToGBAPHIc PRINTS on. NEGATIvns n This invention relates to apparatus for and method `of handling photographic prints or negatives and partlcularly to an apparatus for and method of washingy and fixing such prints.'-

` In handling prints it is desirable to move the same progressively through the various operations thereonas speedily as possible consistent with proper development and fixing l@ thereof and with asl little manual handling and contact with theV machine parts as-possible. y n

` yIt is oneof thek objects of this invention to provide a method and lto produce an apparatus for'washinfr and fixing rints in which the prints will be moved by t e movement of the submerging liquid'until they developed, washed or fixed.

` lAnother' object of this invention is to provide an apparatus having means for enclosing a given load or charge of prints and for repeatedly raising and lowering a charge .of these prints -together wlth the immersing l1quid and means for raising and. movingthe i immersing liquid forward to carry the prints therewith and means for retarding the excessive movement by the liquid of the rints and to cause the movement therethroug by timed elements to insure the proper development thereof. v y

Another .object of this invention is to provide means for directly engaging and conveying prints from immersed position in one tank and depositing the same 1n an ad]acent :3' tank.

Still another object of the invention is lto provide a simple mechanism' for raising and ,moving in a given forward direction the sub merging liquid and carrying the prints there- Wi th.

sau n'nnnher object ofthe invention is, in 1 an apparatus ofthe type described, to provide means which, durinothe movement of the prints, will causea thorough separation and agitation thereof.

Still another object of the invention is, in an apparatus of the'type described, to `pro` vide means for alternately producing the movement of a current of the immersing liq uid in a forward and outward print-'conveyare properly l pplication led October 22, 1928. Serial No. 314,148.

ing direction and in a rearward and inward punt-separating movement.

` Still another object of the invention is to provide a device in which an auxiliary tank and thecontained waterv is. raised to produce a forward print-conveying movement thereof anda discharge of water therefrom and is lowered yto cause a reverse inowing movement of the liquid 'into said auxiliary tank.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pan inclined to the horizontal for producing the movement of a current of water in a forward print-conveying direction, and means in the pan for agitating and separating. the prints `during their forward movei ment by the liquid therein.

Another object of the invention is to proprovide a simple adjustabletiming mecha- -nism for the batch-enclosing elements.

Still another object is t'o provide in combination with a vplurality of tanks, batch-enclosing vmechanism for each tankand inde# pendent timin mechanism forl each'batchf enclosing mec anismt referably actuated from A the raising and owering mechanism for the pan, or auxiliary receptacle and this independent timing mechanism'preferably comprises a, ratchet and pawldevicearranged fory actuation by the raising and lowering mechanism for the said pan or auxiliary'receptacle. p

Another object of the invention is to p`r0- vide in a device of the character specified conveying mechanism dipping within the liquid in the receptacle and arranged to convey wet prints contacting therewith into an adjacent tank or receptacle and' this conveying mechanism is provided with a drivingmechnism for moving the batch-enclosing devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with a vertically-moving auxiliary receptacle or pan a wet print conveyor lmechanism having one end connected to and movable with said receptacle or pan and arranged to receive prints from said receptacle during the. movement thereof and to convey over a dividing partition between said initial receptacle and the adjacent receptacle.

the line 8-8 of Still another object of my'invention is to provide means for separating liquid within the auxiliary tank during the movement of the rints therethrough.

Pith these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the combination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to co-act and cooperate with each other in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated and comprises in one of its adaptations tlie species or preferred form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embod lng my invention;

igi. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, loo ing in the direction of the arrow;

Fi 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,100 ing in the direction of the arrow Fi 4 isa section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2,100 ing in the direction of the arrow;

Fig 5 1s a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, loo ing in the direction of the arrow;

Fi 6 is a fragmentary view, in plan, of one side edge of the machine showing one of the artition-conveying mechanisms emplo e by me; Y

ig. 7 is a fragmentary view of one end of a dividing partition;

Fi 8 is a fra lentary view, in section, on

g. 9; and

Fig. 9 is a fraffmentary view, in section, on the line 9-9 ofa Fig. 8.

Referring now to these drawings, which illustrate a referred embodiment of my invention, 1 indicates a horizontal frame havf ing legs 2 extending to a floor or like supporting structure.

t u ported on the frame 1 is a tank 3 com pose of hard rubber or other suitable material. As illustrated, the receptacle 3 is divided into a plurality and, as shown, two

- main liquid receptacles 4 and 5 respectively separated by a transverse dividing partition 6. These receptacles 4 and 5 are each thus independent of each other except that they are formed in the same tank or machine. While these receptacles may be used for containing any suitable treating liquid, I preferably provide a fixing liquid, such as hypo, in the receptacle 4 and a washing liquid, such as water, in the receptacle 5.

Mounted within the receptacles 4 and 5 are auxiliary receptacles 7 and 8 respectively which are preferably of substantially similar area or the main receptacle and these auxiliary receptacles are mounted to have a vertical movement within the respective main receptacles 4 and 5.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce a current or flow of liquid within the auxiliary receptacle and to this end the auxiliary receptacles 7 and 8 are provided with inclined bottoms 9 and 10 and mean such as the apertures 11, 11 are provided at opposite sides of the receptacle for causing an emptying of the liquid during a vertical movement of the receptacles and the liquid contained therein will flow by gravity toward the lower end of the inclined bottom, thus causing a forward current or flow of liquid during each raising movement of the auxiliary receptacles. This flow will be in a direction forwardly and toward the opposite sides of the receptacle ln which the holes or emptying apertures 11, 11 are placed. Obviously, when prints are placed in receptacles of this t pe the forward movement of the liquid will cause the prints to be similarly moved forwardly. On the lowering movement of the auxiliary receptacles liquid will rush through the s'de apertures and the prints will be again moved thereby, thus producing a forward and back and side movements of the prints in the liquid.

In order to cause the prints to be moved through the treatin liquid uniformly and with a predetermine degree of speed or time to the end that each of the prints will have a given and uniform amount of treatment, I preferably divide the longitudinal area of the auxiliary receptacle by a traveling partition or partitions and, in the preferred form of my invention, a series of these partitons 12 are sus ended from conveyor chains 13 mounte on sprockets 14 and 15. These partitions, asillustrated, preferably comprise a series of tubes or pipes 12 mounted at one end on stubs 124 on a cross bar 12 as illustrated in Fig. 7 which cross-bar 12 is mounted on a rod 12* pivoted on one of the conveyor chains 13, 13', said cross bar 12 having said series of spaced tubes 12 depending therefrom and free at their lower ends.

In the'preferred embodiment of my invention, these bars are spaced to correspond with corrugations 9 in the bottom of the auxiliary receptacle and the ends 12c of the bars 12 preferably fit into the corrugations 9' and travel along the same. The gratings or partitions 12 are spaced from cach other a suitable distance to provide :i batch-enclosure or compartment 16 and when these gral'.- ings are traversed along the auxiliary recepength and width with that ofI tacle or pan, the batch-enclosing section will consequently travel from one end of the receptacle or pan to the other. Obviously, these compartments so enclosed will `be caused to travel along and prints contained therein will be guided in the'r movement through and by the liquid in the receptacle and thus `will be caused to move throu h the same in a predetermined timedepending upon the speed atr which the partitions are moved through the liquid bythe conveyor chain from one end of the auxiliary receptacle to the other,

these partltions not only. enclosing a batch. of the 'prints` but'` retardinga too rapid forward movement thereofduring a raising of the auxiliary receptacle, and reventin'g a reverse movement ofthe prints uring a lowj ering movement of the pan or receptacle.

Inthe preferred embodiment of my `invention, where a plurality of receptacles are employed, I preferably mechanically convey l the wet prints from one auxiliary receptacle, asdfor example, from the hypo-receptacle 4 y ed at opposite ends upon rollers-18 and 19 the roller 18 being mounted on the .bottom of the pan 7j and the u per roller 19 for the opposite end of the lt being mounted in suitable brackets movable conjointly wlth the movement of the an or auxiliary receptacle 7 The upwardly moving side,or leg of the conveyor 17 having` its lower end di ping within the liquid and preferably disposed adjacent to the bottom of the panvor auxiliary receptacle, will contact wth prints and convey them upwardly over the partition 6 to discharge the same into the adjacent auxiliary receptacle 8 where they will be further -vention, the conveyor chains 13, 13 and also treated. As illustrated, these prints are assisted in their inclinedupward movement by the partit'ons 12 which being pivoted on the chain 13 assume an inclined position and prevent the prints from v.sliding backwardly in relation to the belt 17. These prints are thus discharged .or deposited intothe auxiliary receptacle 8 withn the washing receptacle 5 and the prints are moved along this receptacle in a manner similar to that in'which they are moved through the fixingliquid.

Thus the bottom 10 ofthe auxiliary receptacle or pan 8 lis similarly inclined to cause a current of the liquid forwardly during the raising movement thereof and in a substantial transverse direction during the loweringv movement thereof, the said auxiliary receptacle being provided with side apertures 11 at opposite sides ofthe receptacle and the .movement thereof throuvh the receptacle being timed and controlled by means of a series of travelling partitions 12' pivotally mounted on a conveyor belt 13 mounted on sprockets 14', 15 in alljrespects similar to t at hereinabove described.

It is desirable, during the passage of the prints, through the rint-washing receptacle to spray the same with Water and in the embodiment shown, I rovide a series of spraynozzles 20 arrange at opposite sidesof the main receptacle and connected by pipes 21,

these spray-nozzles are adapted to su stantially spray from opposite sides the entire area. of the tank.

Any suitable mechanism may be used for l22 to a suitable source of water suppl and p raising and lowering the'auxiliary receptacle vertically and for moving the conveyor -mechanism hereinabove described. Asillustrated, however, these auxiliaryl receptacles arev rovided with a series of brackets 23 whic extend over the side walls of the main receptacle or tank and are :connected to a common longitudinal bar 24 which is raised and lowered by a series of cranks 25 pivoted at 26 and having a connection with theV bar 24 by links 27. These cranks are rocked by means of an arm 28 connected to a revolving crank 29 rotatable on a shaft 30 driven by means of asprocket 31, chain 32 and sprocket 33 from a shaft 3 4 which is in turn ydriven by a. worm-wheel 35 and a worm on a shaft 37 of a motor 38.

In the preferred .embodiment of my invcntion, the three conveyor mechanisms are each independently operated so as to enable the speed thereof to be adjusted independently sus` of the other and each of these mechanisms are, as illustrated, independently-'mounted upon the longitudinal operating bar 24.

Thus the conveyor mechanism 13 is mount ed upon shafts 13, 13-b supported in brackets 13 and 13d which in turn are fast upon the bar 24.

.In the-preferred embodiment of my inthe conveyor belt are actuated by pawl and ratchet` mechanisms. Thus `the conveyor chain 13,' is operated yby lproviding on the' shaft 13b a ratchet wheel 40 and this ratchet wheel is rotated at a predetermined speedl by the movement of the bar 24. This is accomplished by pivoting on the same shaftV 13b an arm 41 carrying a spring-pressed pawl 43 and limiting the movement thereof be.

tween stops 44, 44 upon a post 45 mounted on the ma-in tank or receptacle. Obviously upward movement of the bar 24 will cause the ratchet wheel 40 to be likewise elevated and if the movement of the arm 41 be retained against movement or adjusted to move a lesser distance, the ratchet will be turned or rotated a predetermined degree depending upon the amount of movement permitted to the forked end 43 of the arm 41 and I am, therefore, enabled to adjust the movement of the conveyor chain by a simple adjustment of the stops 44, 44. The other conveyor chain 13 is similarly operated by the ratchet and pawl mechanism 50 which is 1n all respects similar to that hereinabove described and the movement of the wet printv conveyor is likewise actuated by the ratchet and pawl mechanism 5l which is also similarly mounted operated and adjusted.

The longitudinal bar 24 is guided at opposite ends as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. AThus the bar is rovided with an apertures 24 through which is passed a rod 62 supported in a bracket 61 and having opposed springs 63 and 64 mounted thereon and pressing in opposite directions against the bar 24. An anti-friction roller 65 is also preferably mounted in the apertures 24 and rolls on the rod'62. Y

The tank 5 when used as a washing receptacle is preferably provided with a conventional overflow pipe 65.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The method of handling photographic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treatin liquid within a receptacle, moving said prints longitudinally of the receptacle by causing the print-treating liquid to have a longitudinal print-carrying movement in said receptacle, and retarding the movement of said prints within the liquid.

2. The method of handling photogral'ihic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treating liquid within a receptacle, movingr said prints longitudinally of the receptacle by causing the print-treating liquid to have a longitudinal print-carrying movement in said receptacle, retarding th-e movement of said prints within the liquid, and repeating said lon itudinal movement of the liquid and retarcing of the prints a plurality of times.

3. The method `of handling photographic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treating liquid Within a receptacle, movino said print-s longitudinally of the receptacle by causing the print-treating liquid to have a `combined longitudinal and transverse print-carrying movement in said receptacle to treat said prints and to convey the same through said receptacle, and retardingI the movement of said prints Within the liquid.

4. The method of handling photographic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treatingliquid Within a receptacle, moving said prlnts longitudinally of the receptacle by causing said print-treating liquid to have a combined longitudinal and transverse print-carrying movement in said receptacle a plurality of times to treat said prints and to convey the saine through said receptacle, retarding the movement ot said prints within the liquid, and repeating said longitudinal movement of the liquid and retarding of the prints a lurality of times.

5. The method of handling photographic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treating liquid within a receptacle, moving said prints longitudinally of the receptacle by causing the print-treating liquid to have a print-carrying longitudinal movement in one direction and print-carrying and separating transverse movements in opposite directions in said receptacle to treat said prints and to convey the same through said receptacle.

6. The method of handling photographic prints which consists in immersing prints in a print-treating liquid within a receptacle, moving said prints longitudinally of the receptacle by causing the print-treating liquid to have a. longitudinal print-carrying movement in said receptacle, enclosing within partitions in the liquid a batch oi' said prints to retard the too rapid forward movement and to prevent reverse movement of the A-aid prints, and moving said enclosing partitions 1 longitudinally.

7. A photographic pri lit-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a priut-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged within said main receptacle, means for moving said auxiliary receptacle, vertically. and means associated with said auxiliary receptacle and cooperating with said receptacle.- moving means for causing a longitudinal prlnt-Carrying movement of 'the treating liquid within said auxiliary receptacle.

8. A photographic print-hamlling apparatus embodying, in combination. a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary reccptarle arranged within said mainreeeptaele and having liquid-channels eonnnunicatiug with the main receptacle and a bottom portion disposed in an inclined plane, and means for moving said auxiliary receptacle vertically to cause a longitudinal print-carrying movement of the treating liquid within said auxiliary receptacle.

9. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle. arranged within said main receptacle and having liquidchannels and a bottom portion disposed in an inclined plane, and means for moving said 1,ses,1sa y inclined plane, said auxiliary receptacle being substantially imperforate at its bottom and ends and having perforations vin its sidewalls, means for moving said auxiliary receptaclev vertically to cause a forward movement of zo the treating liquid within said auxiliaryreceptacle,J and means movable within and through said auxiliary receptacle arranged I to sub-divide thesame into a series ofbatch- 'enclosing travelling sections.

1,1. A hotographic print-handling apparatus emlfiodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain aprint-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged within said main receptacle and having a bottom .liquid within said auxiliary receptacle on its portion disposed in an inclined plane, said auxiliary receptacle Ibeing substantially imperforate at its bottom and ends and having perforations in its side walls, means for moving said auxiliary receptacle vertically to causey a forward movement of the treating liquid lwithin said auxiliary receptacle, anda series of partitions extending substantially in a vertical direction into the liquid to sub-divide the same into a plurality of batch-enclosing sections.v A

12. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged within said main receptacle and having a bottom portiondisposed in an inclined plane, saidv auxiliary receptacle being substantially imperorate at its bottom and ends and having perforations in its side walls, a seriesof partitions extendingsubstantially in a vertical direction into the liquid to sub-divide the same into a plurality of sections, means for moving said partitions longitudinally through said receptacle, means for moving the auxiliary receptacle vertically to cause a forward and outward movement .of thetreating upward movement and a transverse movement of the wateren its downward movement within saidsections. i

A13. Aphotographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination. a mainkreceptacle adapted to conta-in a, print-'treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged with- 'in said nain lreceptacle and'having a bottom *N portion disposed in an'inclinedplane, said auxiliary receptacle being substantially imperforate at its bottom and ends and having perforationsl in its side walls, means for moving said auxiliary receptacle vertically to cause a forward movement ofthe treating liquid within said auxiliary receptacle, a series of partitions extending substanti ally in a vertical direction into the liquid to sub-divide thefsame into a plurality of sections, and a conveyor mechanism mounted above 'said tank for moving said secti'oning partitions.

14. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, la main receptacleadapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged within said main receptacle and having a bottom portion disposed in an inclined plane, said auxiliary receptacle `being substantially imperforate at its bottom and ends and having perforations in its side walls, means for moving said auxiliary receptacle vertically to cause a forward movement of the treating liquid within said auxiliary receptacle, a series of partitions extending substantially in a vertical direction into the liquid t6 sub-divide the same into a pluralityofsections, means for moving said partitions r longitudinally through said receptacle, means for moving the auxiliary vreceptacle vertically to cause a forward and outward movement of the treating liquid within said auxiliary receptacle on its upward movement and a transverse move- .ment of the water on its downward movement within said sections, and conveyor means connected with the bottom of said auxiliary receptacle for lifting the prints out of said auxiliary receptacle and depositing the same in an a jacent treating receptacle.

15. Aphotographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged within said main receptacle and adapted to contain a part of said print-treating liquid and into the liquid in which auxiliary receptacle prints are deposited, said auxiliary receptacle having liquid-channels communicating with the main receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle to cause a movement of the liquid therein, partitions for dividing the area of said auxiliary receptacle into a series of movable compartments, means for moving said auxiliary compartment vertically, and means for causing the longitudinal travel o'r said dividing partitions.

16. A photographic print-handling appa- *Y series of movable compartments, means for simultaneously lifting and lowering said auxprints, and means for traversing said partitions through the liquid in said auxiliary receptacle.

17. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination` a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle arranged 'within said main receptacle and adapted to contain a part of said rint-treating liquid and into the liquid in W ich auxiliary receptacle prints are deposited, partitions for dividing the area of said auxiliary receptacle into a series of movable compartments, means for simultaneously lifting and lowering said auxiliary receptacle and partitions vertically, means associated with said auxiliary receptacle and cooperating with said lifting and lowering means for causing a combined sepa` rating and forward movement of the prints within said compartments and on the lowering movement ot'said auxiliary receptacle to cause a further movement therein of the prints, and means for traversing said partitions through the liquid in saidauxiliary receptacle.

18. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, 1n combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar proportionsarranged to be submerged within the liquid in said receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle, a conveyor mechanism arranged above said receptacles and having a plurality of section-separating elements depending within said auxiliary receptacle.

19. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination. a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar proportions arranged to be submerged within the liquid in said receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle, a conveyor mechanism arranged above said receptacles, and having a plurality of section-separating elements depending within said auxiliary receptacle, said elements comprising aseries of spaced slats.

20. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar proportions arranged to be submerged within the liquid in said receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle a conveyor mechanism arranged above said receptacles, and having a plurality of section-separating elements depending within said auxiliary receptacle, and means for operating said conveyor mechanism by the raising and lowering mechanism of the auxiliary receptacle.

21. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodyin in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar proportions arranged to be submerged within the liquid in said receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle, a conveyor mechanism arranged above lsaid receptacles, and having a plurality of section-separating elements depending within said auxiliary receptacle, means for operating said conveyor mechanism bfy the raising and lowerin mechanism o,the auxiliary receptacle, an means for adjusting the speed of the conveyor mechanism.

22. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar proportions arranged to be submerged within the liquid in said receptacle, means for successively raising and lowering said auxiliary receptacle, a conveyor mechanism arranged above said receptacles, and

having a plurality of section-separating elements depending within said auxiliary receptacle, means for operating said conveyor mechanism by the raising and lowering mechanism of the auxiliary receptacle, and means for adjusting the speed of the conveyo'r mechanism comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism operated from the raising and lowering mechanism of the auxiliary receptacle for operating and timing the movement of said conve or mechanism,

23. A hotograp ic print-handlin ap aratus em odyng, in combination, a p ura ity of main liquid-containing receptacles separated by a dividing partition, each of said receptacles being adapted to contain a different print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantial y similar area submerged in each main receptacle and having liquid-channels communicating with the main receptacle, means for lifting and lowering said auxiliary receptacles vertically, a print-conveyor mechanism connected at one end with the bottom of an auxiliary receptacle and extending over the dividing partition between said main receptacles to convey prints from one liquid-containing receptacle to another.

24. A photographic print-handling appa-4 ratus embodying, in combination, a plurality I of main liquid-containing receptacles separated by a dividing partition, each of said receptacles being adapted to contain a different print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar area submerged in each main receptacle and having liquid-channels communicatingwith the main receptacle, means for lifting and lowering said auxiliary receptacles vertically, a print-conveyor mechanism connected at one end with the bottom of an auxiliary receptacle and extending over thcdividing partition bet-Ween'said main receptacles to convey prints from one liquid-containing receptacle to another, a conveyor mechanism arranged over each receptacle and each having a series of separating partitions mounted thereon and movable through the liquid in said auxiliary receptacle, and independent means for moving each of said conveyor mechanisms at different speeds. f

25. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a plurality of main liquid-containing 'receptacles separated by a dividingv partition, each ot said receptacles being adapted to contain a different print-treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar area submerged in each main receptacle and having liquid-channels communicating Withy the main receptacles, means for lifting .and lowering said auxiliary receptacles vertically, a print-conveyor mechanism connected at one end with the bottom of an auxiliary receptacle and extending over the dividing partition between said main receptacles to convey prints from one liquid-containing receptacle to another, a conveyor mechanism arranged over each receptacle. and each having a series of separating partitions mounted thereon and movable through the liquid in said auxiliary receptacle, independent means for moving each of said conveyor mechanisms at different speeds, and means independent of the movement of the partition-conveying mechanism for independently moving said print-conveyor mechanism.

26. A photographic print-handling appa- Vratus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar area submerged Within said main receptacle, an inclined print-conveyor connected at one end to said submerged auxiliary receptacle and extendingl at the other end above the end of the said main receptacle, a partition-carrying conveyor arranged above said receptacle and above said print-conveyor, said partition-carrying conveyor being provided With a series of partitions comprisingv a pluralit of spaced pivotally-mounted slats mova le in contact with the bottom of the auxiliary receptacle and with the inclined print conveyor.

27. A photographic print-handling apparatus embodying, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid, an auxiliary receptacle of substantially similar area submerged within said main receptacle, an inclined print-conveyor connected at one end to said submerged auxiliary receptacle and extending at the other end above the end of the said main receptacle, a partitioncarrying conveyor arrange-d above a receptacle and extending over said print-conveyor, a plurality of spaced pivotally-mounted slats having rounded lower ends, mounted on the partition-carrying conveyor and movable over and into contact With the bottom of the auxiliary receptacle and with said print-conveyor, and said auxiliary receptacle being provided with a plurality of depressions or grooves within which the lower ends of said slats move.

In Witness whereof, I have signed my name to the foregoing specification.

' WALTER J. WILLIAMS. 

